Random Reader Rant and/or Revel

You can talk about whatever is on your mind – quality of life issues, a beautiful tree you spotted, scuttlebutt, or any random questions/thoughts you may have. But please no personal attacks and no need to correct people’s grammar. This is a place to vent and/or celebrate things about daily life in DC.

Rant: The lace pattern in this baby blanket is not looking right. Debating whether to frog it back to the beginning (and lose several hours of work) or forge ahead and hope it resolves itself. The shower’s in three weeks so I don’t have a whole lot of time to lose.
Rave: Only fellow knitters will understand my rant probably.

As my mom used to say, “Those are just the little details that show it’s handmade.” : ) If under time pressure, I would keep on going. It’s for a gift, not a contest, so as long as it turns out looking like a blanket I think it will be appreciated. I’m a lazy knitter though, so take that for what it’s worth.

That was my rationale last night, but now I think I’ve talked myself into starting over. The mistakes in the beginning are probably going to drive me crazy, and it’s not a big deal if it’s not done in time (the baby doesn’t arrive until March and I can always mail it).

Start over. If it’s bothering you now, it’s likely that it will continue to bother you the more you knit. In my limited experience, knitting problems rarely resolve themselves, although there are ways to transform them so that they are no longer “problems”. The baby won’t care, and the baby isn’t holding you to any schedule. The goal is not to be “perfect” but to be pleased with your efforts and the results. Happy knitting! (Yes, I have a few projects stored away — waiting for that dreaded transition from circular needles to double points. )

It’s sweet that you are knitting a baby blanket, but I hope you are making a very tight weave. We got several of these from relatives when our first born was on the way, and while we appreciated the sentiment we called them “Baby stranglers.” They never got used because they had loose, decorative patterns that are a total choking hazard to be in a crib with a newborn.

You’re not supposed to put any blankets in a crib until the kid is over 1 year old anyway. I think having those blankets is wonderful to wrap the baby in under supervision and then when the baby becomes a toddler, they’ll use it themselves.

Rave: the office is closing at 2 today!
Rant: I have a lot to do before then.
Rave: I’m having people over to watch the Winter Classic tomorrow!
Rave: no matter the cost, I will be watching it in person next year!!!!
Rave: milk punch.

The pancake pics here always look so goddamn tasty. But what I find is when I actually go out and get some pancakes, halfway through I am like “I should not have eaten that. I definitely should not have eaten that.”

I used to have that same reaction, especially with IHOP pancakes. Then I discovered the Pioneer Woman’s recipe for sour cream pancakes and it totally changed my life–so moist and light and not leaden in your stomach like regular pancakes. In fact, maybe I’ll make some for breakfast tomorrow!

Rant: HVAC contractor tried to pull one on me. We were supposed to close out our contract last night, but when I looked at the air handler with him, the filter was too big and sticking out the side. He tried to tell me that it was OK that the filter door doesn’t close. WTF? Bad contractor! No I’m not paying you the final amount.

Rant: Getting dragged out of bed at 5AM this morning due to an explosion outside my apartment and standing outside while the fire was put out (glad to know the local news is all over the rabid raccoon. But the entire city could blow up and WTOP would simply say traffic was moving at speed on the American Legion Bridge).

Rave: Early release in 47 minutes so I can go home and go back to bed!

Rant: Nothing to do on NYE, don’t feel like getting into a mess, but would like do a quick drink & count down with friends and then go home to get some sleep, but everyone is out of town… Pretty sure someone will call this evening though.

Rave: I’m just a gigolo, and everywhere I go, people know the part I’m playin… Because, I ain’t got nobody…

Rave: Great week in Texas with family
Rant: Time with young nephews left me with a bad cold that’s knocked me out since Saturday night.
Rant: I need this cold to go away/enter a ceasefire by tonight. I have tickets to go dancing, darn it! I can’t be coughing everywhere.

The only reason for such an amazing run in the market is the Fed’s unprecedented bond-buying campaign, and the banks who get the money directly have no real economy in which to invest, so wealth on paper is where the money ends up. The result is an overinflated bubble at nominal all-time highs, naturally.

I hope to see everyone just as excited (in an angry way) when the market takes an equally large fall, when the Fed’s easy money dries up.

Having a tough day at work today. I was told by one staff/colleague that my problem “is that my nose is in too many things” and to “get out” of the office. I reported him to my supervisor….note I’m a higher grade than him. Oh did I mention that he called me a “young lady” mind you I’m 47, yes he’s in his 70s but really?

Going over policies and procedures document with 2 other staff and why do they have to always need to give me an example when one isn’t needed. I will edit as you ask…don’t make me listen to your exhaustive example.

Rave: It’s been a rough year with challenges in many directions. I’ve learned a lot, and I’m still standing.
Rave: I’ve started my New Year’s resolutions early this year. .
Rant: I am SO not good at biting off little pieces and chewing slooowly. So maybe if I change the metaphor to something else the process will seem easier.
Rave: 2014

Thanks to Dan for posting the photo of our sadly departed Meow Meow, I only wish I sent one in while she was still living so her mom could have bragged more. Thankfully our Cali trip is distracting us a bit but there are still times where it hits us both out of the blue. Life changes so fast. Hope you all have a great evening tonight and a prosperous 2014.